A Reel-y Good Time

Dave Haws worked at Metropolitan Theatres while still in high school, including during the wintertime film festival, which sparked not only a lifelong love for movies, but also the desire to make a living in the industry. Haws, who was born and raised in Santa Barbara, headed out of town to get an education, majored in cinema arts at Cal State Northridge and remained in the L.A. area to pursue a career in the film industry, mostly in non-glamorous roles. Haws has worked in the camera and lighting departments on movies and other video projects, but also directed shorts, music videos, and commercials. 

The bug to create the SB Indie Fest bit after he moved back to town with his wife and kids, even in the backyard of the highly visible SBIFF, which draws huge crowds and a wide swath of Oscar nominees to the annual 11-day February festival. 

“We wanted to do a festival that’s truly independent, something to showcase small filmmakers who might not have a voice anywhere else, and to give student filmmakers an outlet to have their work seen that’s more about the art of storytelling on film than a platform like TikTok or YouTube,” explained Haws, who is also serving as the fest’s program director.

Haws ambitiously invited entries in a wide variety of categories, from short animated films and documentaries to music videos, short narratives, and full feature documentary and fiction movies. The genres encompass everything from comedy to personal journeys to activism in action.

The 14 hours of programming were culled from more than 60 hours of films that were submitted and juried by a panel of industry professionals Haws has worked with over the years. 

“What we’re screening is the best of the best,” Haws said. 

Which, Haws said, is surprisingly good, especially given it’s the festival’s first year. 

“I was absolutely floored by how much high-quality work we received, shockingly good short films that are incredibly powerful. As a filmmaker myself, I found myself wondering why aren’t these people working on films or shows in Hollywood right now.”

Like SBIFF, the Indie Fest will also have opportunities for Q&As with filmmakers after the screenings, as well as an award presentation on Saturday night. It’s all to celebrate the art of making movies, geared toward up and comers whose ideas are much bigger than their budgets. 

Much like the festival itself, which hopes the first year will lead to many more down the road. 

“We want to have these new voices in cinema get seen here in Santa Barbara, which is just 90 miles from Hollywood,” Haws said. “But this first year, we’re making this thing on duct tape and string.” 

Visit www.sbindiefilmfest.com for tickets as well as festival details and the full film schedule and descriptions.